Considering everything, is computer science a good or bad major?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the viability of majoring in computer science (CS) compared to electrical engineering (EE), particularly in light of job market conditions, the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on coding jobs, and the potential need for interdisciplinary skills.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern about the popularity of CS, the job market, college acceptance, and statements from industry leaders regarding AI replacing coding jobs.
  • Another participant argues that CS is a good major due to job availability and specialization options, suggesting that augmenting a CS degree with other fields could enhance job prospects.
  • Some participants speculate that the long-term effects of AI on CS and EE are uncertain, noting that both fields are likely to remain relevant for the next couple of decades.
  • One participant challenges the notion of a terrible job market, suggesting that while job requirements are increasing, opportunities still exist.
  • There is a discussion about the role of humans in specifying problems for AI, indicating that while coding may evolve, human oversight remains necessary.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the job market for CS, the impact of AI, and the necessity of interdisciplinary skills. No consensus is reached regarding the overall value of majoring in CS versus EE.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various assumptions about job market conditions and the future of AI, but these assumptions are not fully explored or resolved within the discussion.

Who May Find This Useful

Students considering a major in computer science or electrical engineering, as well as those interested in the implications of AI on job markets in technology fields.

Syandan21
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I am considering majoring in either this or electrical engineering, but I am worried because computer science is very popular, the job market is terrible, and also colleges might not except me, and that nvidia's CEO said that coding will be replaced by AI. Please help!!!
 
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CS is a good major. There are lots of jobs available. There are many fields of specialization.

But to hedge your bets, it would a good idea to augment your degree with some other field like business, engineering, mechatronics, physics, chemistry, biology / medicine.

These addon minors would enhance your chances of getting a job in more diverse fields. As an example, being a CS major with a medical background might make you more interesting to a medical devices company. CS major with physics or engineering would make you interesting to a aerospace company. CS with biology / chemistry to a pharmaceuticals company.

Pure CS limits you to computer technology or computer services type jobs. Even though these jobs are well paying and plentiful, one has to worry about how AI will affect them.

Basically, always have a backup plan and a backup to your backup plan.
 
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IMO, it's not possible to know what the effect of AI will be on CS or EE for the next 40 years. Certainly, either will have a lot to offer for the next decade or two. I wouldn't worry too much about the Nvidia CEO statement. After all, who does he think would be doing the AI development? AI itself is going to change a lot.
 
Syandan21 said:
the job market is terrible,
Why do you say that? Certainly the days when you didn't have to be any good at it to get a job are ending. But things that can't go on forever, don't.
Syandan21 said:
colleges might not except me
Accept.

But if you don't get in, isn't the decision made for you?
Syandan21 said:
nvidia's CEO said that coding will be replaced by AI
Already happened. Your computer doesn't run human-written code. It doesn't even run your CPU's "native" code. It's translated twice, and no human being ever sees the actual mictocode that the CPU runs. And it's been this way for 30 or 35 years.

However, there still needs to be a human to specify what the problem is. That won't go away.
 

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